Kapitel 59: Chapter -58 Snape's sharp tongue.

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Chapter -58.

Dudley started spending his weekends with Snape, diving into potions for over eight hours each day, from afternoon until night. During this time, he went through a lot of "venom" training, and let's just say, if Snape decided to be sarcastic, it could really drive anyone up the wall!

It was Dudley's first time making these tricky potions, so it was only natural that he stumbled a bit along the way.

Brewing, infusing, soaking, ointments, poultices, tinctures, washes—potions are way more than just stirring things in a cauldron; that's just one of the seven methods of potion-making!

When Snape showed Dudley how to whip up a finished invigorating potion using six different methods, it was like a light bulb went off for Dudley. He realized there was so much more to potions than he had ever thought!

After all, the first-year textbook only covered the brewing method.

Snape had some seriously high expectations for Dudley—way more than he had for anyone else. It felt a bit outrageous, honestly.

After demonstrating once, Snape told Dudley to make the invigorating potion using at least three of the methods he had just shown him. Then, he let Dudley take a crack at it himself.

When Dudley presented his ordinary-level invigorating potion made with three methods, Snape's reaction was less than encouraging.

"Is there a troll dancing in your head?"

"Maybe there's no troll dancing in your head; you're the troll."

"What do you have in that head of yours? Troll snot?"

Snape seemed to have a thing for trolls whenever he critiqued Dudley, which made Dudley feel like he was being subtly called out for his size.

"If it were me... If it were Lily... they would definitely be able to make a better potion."

Once Snape got into teaching mode, that thought just wouldn't leave his mind. He completely forgot that they were about to graduate at that time and here Dudley was just a first-year wizard.

I mean, who would really think of a 180 cm tall, muscular guy as an eleven-year-old wizard?

But with Snape's super high standards, Dudley's competitive spirit kicked in. He was determined to master that invigorating potion.

Using his data magic eye, he dove into practicing the skills for making the invigorating potion, especially since there weren't many other materials in the potion classroom.

He wasn't about to let this great opportunity slip away!

By Sunday night, the table was overflowing with finished invigorating potions. From starting with ordinary-level potions using three methods to now being able to create perfect-level potions using five methods, Dudley was amazed at how far he had come in just two days.

With just this perfect-level invigorating potion, Dudley could graduate from Hogwarts and even land a job at St. Mungo's Hospital!

But Snape was still barely satisfied.

"It took you a full two days to barely pass. I really suspect a troll snuck into your brain at night. Your talent is truly tarnishing your Aunt Lily's reputation; don't ever mention that I taught you this."

Snape stared at Dudley, his expression as blank as ever, as he put away the perfect-level invigorating potion from the table.

"If it were your Aunt Lily, she could make it using seven methods in just one day."

Ever since Dudley started calling Lily "Aunt" in front of Snape, Snape had gradually warmed up to the title and even began using it himself.

Dudley didn't quite realize how talented his Aunt was at potion-making, but from what Petunia and Snape had said, it was clear she was a real pro.

In the world of potions, it seemed like there was nothing she couldn't make or do well.

This made Dudley want to measure himself against her.

Even though Snape claimed she could whip up the invigorating potion using seven methods in a day, Dudley couldn't help but wonder if Snape was just bragging.

But who was Dudley? He was the kind of guy who loved to challenge self-righteous people and never backed down!

Goals are only worth chasing if they're set high enough.

Dudley had already found two small goals at Hogwarts.

For physical fitness, he wanted to be like a certain someone, and for potion-making skills, he aimed to match the standards of Professor Snape's Aunt Lily.

"Next weekend, we'll study shrinking solutions and vitality tonics. I hope you can use this time to review well and not act like a troll again today."

Dudley didn't respond, feeling a bit too lazy to engage. After two days of this back-and-forth, he figured out that the angrier you got with Snape, the more energized he became.

The Shrinking Solution was part of the third-year curriculum at Hogwarts. It was a magical potion that could shrink living beings or even turn them back into younger versions of themselves—imagine fitting a group of pigs into a wizard's pocket! In terms of difficulty, the Shrinking Solution was easier than the Energizing Potion, but since Snape was in charge, it was definitely going to be a challenge.

As for the Energizing Potion, that was part of the fifth-year potion course. It could really boost the drinker's vitality. Dudley had even given Malfoy a simplified version of the Energizing Potion before, which was more like a stamina booster.

"Dursley, why haven't you left yet? Do you want me to keep you for dinner?"

Seeing Dudley hanging around in the potions room, Snape looked a bit impatient. "Let me tell you; I don't have any food here that would satisfy a giant like you."

"Professor Snape."

Dudley kept a respectful attitude. Snape might have a sharp tongue, but he was serious about teaching him. Even though Dudley thought of himself as just an ordinary guy, he knew it was important to respect his elders.

He slowly pulled out a book from behind him and placed it in front of Snape.

It was an old potions textbook, a bit worn out, and it was for a higher grade, as shown by the title "Advanced Potion-Making."

In the corner of the yellowed pages, it was signed with the words "Half-Blood Prince."

"Can I take this book back with me? The notes in it are super helpful for me."

Dudley gently wiped the dust off the textbook, treating it like a precious treasure.

Maybe it was Dudley's genuine interest in the potions textbook, or perhaps because he hadn't engaged in any banter and had kept a respectful demeanor, but Snape's tone softened a bit, and surprisingly, he didn't lash out.

"Where did you find it?"

Dudley pointed to a corner of the potions room where a pile of old books was stacked. "Over there, Professor."

"This book is still too advanced for you," Snape started, but then paused, realizing he was also teaching higher-level content. He flicked his sleeve and said, "If you want, you can take it back and look at it first."